A five-year-old Tesla Model S with about 125,000 kilometers on the odometer developed significant cracks in its vegan leather seats, according to multiple reports. Tesla told the customer the damage was due to 'mechanical stress' and not covered under warranty. However, the Norwegian Consumer Authority (Forbrukertilsynet) ruled that the damage was not normal for a car of that age and mileage, and ordered Tesla to pay compensation. The company must pay the customer 9,000 Norwegian kroner (about 800 euros) for the prematurely damaged seat.
Tesla has used vegan leather in its cars since 2016. The company has stated that the material requires special care, but the ruling highlights ongoing disputes over the durability of Tesla's interior materials. The vegan leather seats are marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, but some owners have reported premature wear, leading to complaints and legal actions.
Therefore they must be taken care of especially well.
Separately, Tesla faces legal setbacks over a 2019 software update that reduced the charging speed of the Model S. In summer 2019, Tesla performed a software update that made the car charge more slowly. Tesla justified the reduction by citing increased battery pack lifespan and improved safety, including fire risk. Four Tesla owners initially sued and won in the Supreme Court last winter. Since then, 115 Tesla owners have followed the same path and won. The Oslo District Court's verdict from the summer is now legally binding after both the Borgarting Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court rejected the appeal. This series of legal victories for owners could set a precedent for similar cases in other countries.
Tesla, Inc. is an American car, software, and energy company that produces electric cars, solar panels, and battery packs. The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk. The company has not publicly commented on whether it will appeal the seat damage ruling or the charging speed decisions.